The Mr World Jamaica 2024 pageant was held at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel ballroom in New Kingston, where twenty-two-year-old Tarique Barrett emerged as the winner. Barrett, a final-year marketing and accounting student at The University of the West Indies, Mona, expressed his intention to use his platform to educate inner-city youth on financial literacy through his initiative, Future Entrepreneurs.
In an interview, Barrett emphasized the importance of equipping ghetto youth with the necessary financial tools to break the cycle of poverty. As the first Mr World Jamaica title holder since 1998, Barrett will represent Jamaica on the global stage in Vietnam in November.
During the coronation event, Barrett competed against electronics engineer Tavar Brown, who placed second, and digital marketing specialist Dario Lopez, who was second runner-up. The evening was filled with support from family members, friends, and sponsors, as well as enthusiastic applause for the 14 finalists as they showcased their talents.
Barrett’s victory was not only a personal achievement but also a representation of success for inner-city youth. He mentioned that his participation in the pageant was to show the world that youngsters from the inner city can make a difference on prestigious platforms. Despite the rigorous preparation leading up to the event, Barrett adapted to the challenges and emerged victorious.
The evening’s grand coronation also featured performances by saxophonist Raheem Vassell and vocalist Maria Myrie. The ballroom erupted with cheers as Barrett was announced the winner, with even his competitors showing support by hugging and congratulating him.
Overall, the support for the Mr World Jamaica 2024 event after more than two decades was palpable, showcasing the talent, determination, and ambition of young Jamaican men like Tarique Barrett.
